Four players Mark Hughes will kick out of Stoke City this summer

There are less than 24-hours until the English transfer window officially opens – and Stoke fans already know how Mark Hughes is planning on strengthening the team, following on from last season’s top 10 finish.

With the signings of Phil Bardsley, Dionatan Teixeira, Steve Sidwell and headline-act Mame Biram Diouf already completed, the question now hangs over who will be allowed to leave the Britannia Stadium.

Matthew Etherington has already been released, following the expiration of his contract. As of yet, there has been no clear indication of who else will leave – although chairman Peter Coates has confirmed there is likely to be some movement.

1) Wilson Palacios

Wilson hasn’t had the most enjoyable of times since his move from Spurs.

Apparently suffering from numerous injuries, and even told he wouldn’t be selected for one particular game because ‘it was too windy’, Wilson has become a bit of a liability in the eyes of some fans.

His recent performances for Honduras in the World Cup did little to endear him to the club fans, who saw it as a perfect opportunity to offload him.

Whether anyone will actually now come in for him, remains to be seen.

2) Ryan Shotton

There didn’t seem to be space in the squad for Ryan last season – and that seems to be the case again too, this time around.

With the recent signing of Bardsley, Mark Hughes has an abundance of players to choose ahead of Ryan at right back.

However, Ryan has also played on the right of midfield – though in a less attacking role than Hughes enjoys employing.

Last season, he was loaned out to Wigan, where he did impress.

I can’t see him sticking around for another season, however, and expect any dealings for him to be permanent rather than temporary – unless we really need him for our ‘home-grown’ quota.

Peter Crouch struggled in a new tactical shape last season (Picture: Getty Images)

3) Peter Crouch

Crouch has had a great couple of seasons since signing from Spurs – at the same time, and part of the same deal as Palacios.

Last year though, with a new tactical setup, he looked out of sorts at times and went missing at others. He struggled to score goals, due mainly to the fact he struggled to get playing time.

With the signing of Diouf already complete, it may be the perfect time for Crouch to move on – and free up some wages at the club.

QPR and Crystal Palace seem odds-on favourites for his signature – though don’t rule out a move to the MLS, if one comes along.

4) Cameron Jerome

Another of our players who was loaned out last year, he was a bit hit-and-miss at Crystal Palace under former boss Pulis.

Whilst I don’t expect him to be Hughes’ first choice of attacker, he could be the type of game-changing substitute we need this year.

Realistically, I envisage he has just a few weeks of pre-season to prove himself to Hughes – or leave.